Drinks 'represent growing opportunity' in delivery and takeaway as sales share increases

Overall, the latest Hospitality at Home Tracker highlights that while delivery and takeaway sales across managed groups are still 91% higher than they were pre-pandemic, versus last year sales have seen a slight dip of -11%, following the trend seen in August where combined sales were -7.9% versus 2021.

Typically drinks make up a smaller proportion of sales, within monthly delivery and takeaway sales. However, versus January 2022 data, drinks’ share of sales in September 2022 were 15% higher – with steady month-on-month growth over the course of this year.

This opportunity is reinforced in CGA’s exclusive Food Insights ​report, which highlights that of consumers who ordered delivery for the first time or more than usual in 2021, 37% of consumers were likely to order delivery from pubs and bars in the future, if available.

When it comes to delivery/takeaway formats, alcohol delivery and pickup/collection of alcohol also made up 19% of orders in 2021.

“Lockdowns saw consumers relying on delivery and takeaways to a much greater extent than they did pre-pandemic, and exploring new options including alcoholic drinks, says Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA.

“Operators should be exploring this opportunity given consumer sentiment, with careful consideration given to how they can meet customers’ expectations outside the traditional On Premise setting.”